Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy team at Wisconsin Bone & Joint offer a wide range of programs and specialized services to help our patients restore and maintain their physical strength, performance skills, and levels of function. Our well-trained, professional staff utilize the most progressive treatment options and techniques to ensure the best possible recoveries.

Herniated Disc

Back pain is different from one person to the next. The pain can have a slow onset or come on suddenly. The pain may be intermittent or constant. In most cases, back pain resolves on its own within a few weeks.

Cause

There are many causes of low back pain. It sometimes occurs after a specific movement such as lifting or bending. Just getting older also plays a role in many back conditions.

As we age, our spines age with us. Aging causes degenerative changes in the spine. These changes can start in our 30s — or even younger — and can make us prone to back pain, especially if we overdo our activities.

These aging changes, however, do not keep most people from leading productive, and generally, pain-free lives. We have all seen the 70-year-old marathon runner who, without a doubt, has degenerative changes in her back.

Herniated disk

A disc herniates when its jelly-like center (nucleus) pushes against its outer ring (annulus). If the disc is very worn or injured, the nucleus may squeeze all the way through. When the herniated disc bulges out toward the spinal canal, it puts pressure on the sensitive spinal nerves, causing pain.

Because a herniated disc in the low back often puts pressure on the nerve root leading to the leg and foot, pain often occurs in the buttock and down the leg. This is sciatica.

A herniated disc often occurs with lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting movements.

Symptoms

Back pain varies. It may be sharp or stabbing. It can be dull, achy, or feel like a “charley horse” type cramp. The type of pain you have will depend on the underlying cause of your back pain.

Most people find that reclining or lying down will improve low back pain, no matter the underlying cause.

People with low back pain may experience some of the following:

Back pain may be worse with bending and lifting.

Sitting may worsen pain.

Standing and walking may worsen pain

Back pain comes and goes, and often follows an up and down course with good days and bad days.

Pain may extend from the back into the buttock or outer hip area, but not down the leg.

Sciatica is common with a herniated disc. This includes buttock and leg pain, and even numbness, tingling or weakness that goes down to the foot. It is possible to have sciatica without back pain.

Regardless of your age or symptoms, if your back pain does not get better within a few weeks, or is associated with fever, chills, or unexpected weight loss, you should call your doctor.

Diagnosis

Medical History and Physical Examination

After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will examine your back. This will include looking at your back and pushing on different areas to see if it hurts. Your doctor may have you bend forward, backward, and side to side to look for limitations or pain.

Your doctor may measure the nerve function in your legs. This includes checking your reflexes at your knees and ankles, as well as strength testing and sensation testing. This might tell your doctor if the nerves are seriously affected.

Imaging Tests

Other tests which may help your doctor confirm your diagnosis include:

X-rays

Although they only visualize bones, simple X-rays can help determine if you have the most obvious causes of back pain. It will show broken bones, aging changes, curves, or deformities. X-rays do not show disks, muscles, or nerves.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

This study can create better images of soft tissues, such as muscles, nerves, and spinal disks. Conditions such as a herniated disk or an infection are more visible in an MRI scan.

Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans

If your doctor suspects a bone problem, he or she may suggest a CAT scan. This study is like a three-dimensional X-ray and focuses on the bones.

Bone scan

A bone scan may be suggested if your doctor needs more information to evaluate your pain and to make sure that the pain is not from a rare problem like cancer or infection.

Bone density test

If osteoporosis is a concern, your doctor may order a bone density test. Osteoporosis weakens bone and makes it more likely to break. Osteoporosis by itself should not cause back pain, but spinal fractures due to osteoporosis can.

Treatment

In general, treatment for low back pain falls into one of three categories: medications, physical medicine, and surgery.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Medications. Several medications may be used to help relieve your pain.

Exercising to restore motion and strength to your lower back can be very helpful in relieving pain.

Braces

The most common brace is a corset-type that can be wrapped around the back and stomach. Braces are not always helpful, but some people report feeling more comfortable and stable while wearing them.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery for low back pain should only be considered when nonsurgical treatment options have been tried and have failed. It is best to try nonsurgical options for 6 months to a year before considering surgery.

In addition, surgery should only be considered if you doctor can pinpoint the source of your pain.

Surgery is not a last resort treatment option. Some patients are not candidates for surgery, even though they have significant pain and other treatments have not worked. Some types of chronic low back pain simply cannot be treated with surgery.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is essentially a “welding” process. The basic idea is to fuse together the painful vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone.

Spinal fusion eliminates motion between vertebral segments. It is an option when motion is the source of pain.

For example, your doctor may recommend spinal fusion if you have spinal instability, a curvature (scoliosis), or severe degeneration of one or more of your discs. The theory is that if the painful spine segments do not move, they should not hurt.

Fusion of the vertebrae in the lower back has been performed for decades. A variety of surgical techniques have evolved. In most cases, a bone graft is used to fuse the vertebrae. Screws, rods, or a “cage” are used to keep your spine stable while the bone graft heals.

The surgery can be done through your abdomen, your side, your back, or a combination of these. There is even a procedure that is done through a small opening next to your tailbone. No one procedure has been proven better than another.

The results of spinal fusion for low back pain vary. It can be very effective at eliminating pain, not work at all, and everything in between. Full recovery can take more than a year.

Disc Replacement

This procedure involves removing the disc and replacing it with artificial parts, similar to replacements of the hip or knee.

The goal of disc replacement is to allow the spinal segment to keep some flexibility and maintain more normal motion.

The surgery is done through your abdomen, usually on the lower two discs of the spine.